Box with pre-printed graphics for children

ABSTRACT

A box for holding contents during delivery to a user contains play graphics associated with a play activity of a child, thus encouraging reuse of the box as a toy by children. In one embodiment, the box contains pre-printed play graphics on the inside of the box and is of sufficient size so as to allow a significant portion of the child to enter the box while the child performs the play activity. In this embodiment, the original logos displayed on the box are maintained. In another embodiment, the box contains at least some graphics to be used to reconfigure the box according to a predetermined configuration associated with the play activity. The box is reconfigured for play, either alone or in combination with one or more other boxes. The play graphics may supplement or supplant the original logos on the box.

BACKGROUND

[0001] Boxes and other forms of delivery containers are used bymanufacturers as containers to hold and protect their contents untilreceived by consumers. Boxes may have instructions printed on theoutside for the consumers that assist the consumer in constructing,preparing, or using the contents. Boxes also may have informationprinted on the outside that describe the contents, e.g. a nutritionallabel or ingredients label. Also printed on the outside of the box areone or more logos, e.g., trademarks, used by the manufacturer in sellingthe contents. A manufacturer typically expends large amounts of money topromote and protect their logos.

[0002] Boxes themselves are not typically designed for long termstorage, but rather are used merely for the transport of the contents tothe consumer. Once emptying the box of the contents, the consumertypically disposes of the box, e.g. throws the box in the trash. Thus,the consumers viewing of the logos on the box is ended when the box isemptied of the contents (and subsequently trashed).

[0003] However, children will sometimes use boxes in their play.Typically, the children use the box independent of the markings andlogos on the boxes.

[0004] One manufacturer, i.e. Quaker Oats™ Company, has includedpre-printed search and find games on the inside of the box, i.e. QuakerInstant Oatmeal™. However, in order to play the games, the box must bedestroyed, e.g. the glued portions must be cut or split and the boxun-folded. Note that during the process of un-folding, the interiorgraphics may be damaged, thereby reducing or eliminating the playing ofthe games. Moreover, the box includes a mail-in certificate, which whencut-out removes the largest logos from the box. Also, cutting thecertificate out weakens the remaining portion, making it more likelythat the remaining portion will be thrown out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] These and other objects, features and technical advantages areachieved by a system and method which includes having pre-printedgraphics on and/or in boxes or other such delivery containers tointerest a child in playing with the delivery container, and therebykeeping the logos around the customer for a longer period of time.

[0006] The invention has at least two embodiments. In a firstembodiment, the original logos are maintained. This embodiment haspre-printed graphics on the inside of the box. The box is large enoughto allow a significant portion of child to fit inside the box, e.g. acomputer monitor box. The graphics are then within reach of the child,and the child can play with the box. A significant portion of a child isdefined as being at least one arm and the head of the child. Note that achild is someone at least old enough to play with the box, i.e. olderthan a baby. The graphics are also useable by the child while the box issubstantially assembled. Substantially assembled means that the box isopen on one end and not unfolded.

[0007] A second embodiment includes at least one graphic to be used onthe outside of the box. This graphic, or graphics, may include new logoswhich are designed to enhance a predetermined configuration for the box.The box is reconfigured for play, either alone or in combination withone or more other boxes. The outside graphic(s) may include stickers orother attachable graphics provided with the box that are to be attachedto the reconfigured box.

[0008] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features andtechnical advantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, andthe advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

[0010] FIGS. 1A-1C depict a first embodiment of the present invention,wherein the interior of the box includes preprinted graphic portions;

[0011]FIG. 2 depicts an alternative arrangement of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1A-1C, wherein the exterior of the box includes a graphicalportion;

[0012]FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a second embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the original logos have been replaced with graphicalportions that incorporate new logos; and

[0013]FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an alternative arrangement of the inventionof FIGS. 3A and 3B that includes both exterior and interior graphicalportions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a box 14 that includes a first embodimentof the invention. FIG. 1A is a cut-away view, showing two inside panelsof the box 14. FIG. 1B depicts an elevation view of the exterior of thebox 14. These inside panels include graphics portions 10 and 11. Graphicportion 10 is a game that would interest a child. For example, graphicportion 10 could comprise one or more of a maze, a word jumble, across-word puzzle, a word search, a coloring picture to be colored withcrayons, markers, pencils, or paint, a search and find picture where achild locates hidden objects in the picture, a sticker picture where achild attaches stickers to the picture (the stickers could be permanentor re-attachable), and/or a fill in the blank game where a child wouldread a passage that has words left out and fill in the words. Note thatthe graphic could comprise combinations of these games, for example asearch and find picture that can be colored. Play utensils 12, e.gcrayons, stickers, re-useable stickers, markers, pencils, paint, orcombinations thereof, can be provided with the box. The stickers can beincorporated into the padding or coverings used to hold the contents ofthe box, or included in the box. For example, plastic sheets aretypically used to cover a computer monitor in the box. Note that thelogos 13 and 15 are still displayed on the outside of the box.

[0015] Graphic portions 10 and 11 can also comprise board game layouts,e.g. checkers, chess, Chinese checkers, tic-tac-toe grid, etc. The boxcan be rotated until the desired layout is down and can be used by thechild or children. Play utensils 12 can also include board game pieces,e.g. checker, chess, X's and O's, etc.

[0016] Note that the graphic portions could extend to the full insidedimensions of the panel or panels of the box 14. FIG. 1C depicts fulldimension graphics on the bottom and two sides, however, additionalgraphics can be located on the top panel and other side panel (notshown). Each panel can include a different game or depict a differentpicture. As shown in FIG. 1C, the graphic portions on the differentpanels can also be coordinated with each other to depict a common scene,e.g. a beach scene 16. This would allow a child to use the box 14 toplay with action figure(s) and/or other toy(s), e.g. Matchbox™ car(s),G.I Joe™ and/or Barbie™ doll(s). The beach scene is by way of exampleonly as other scenes could be shown, for example, a city, a town, amountain, a jungle, a school, a house, an apartment, a ski hill, abattlefield, and/or a lake, etc.

[0017] The graphical portions could comprise stickers placed on theproper locations, or they could comprise printed portions that arepre-printed onto the proper locations. The graphical portions may alsocomprise inked colors that are embedded into the cardboard, and thatwhen wiped with, e.g., water or some solution, the color(s) and thus thegraphic(s) appear. Moreover, the graphical portions could comprise acombination of the above.

[0018] The box is large enough to allow a significant portion of childto fit inside the box, e.g. a computer monitor box. The graphics arethen within reach of the child, and the child can play with the box. Asignificant portion of a child is defined as being at least one arm andthe head of the child. Note that a child is someone at least old enoughto play with the box, i.e. older than a baby. To allow access to theinside of the box to more than one child and/or for a larger child, twosides of the box may be cut. For example, edges 17 and 18 of panel 19could be cut. This would allow the outer end of panel 19 to pulled out,and create a larger front entrance to the inside of the box 14, butstill maintain the structure of the box.

[0019]FIG. 2 depicts an alternative arrangement for the embodiments ofFIGS. 1A-1C. In this arrangement, the original logos 13 and 15 are stillpresent, but are supplemented with graphics (e.g., graphical portions 21and 22) in order to alter the box according to a predeterminedconfiguration associated with a child's play activity. In thisembodiment, graphical portion 22 incorporates a new logo associated withthe play activity. These graphics could comprise a sticker or bepreprinted on a portion of the box that is to be cut-away for theactivity. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a puppet theater which includeshole portion 20. The graphical portion 22 could preprinted on the insideof box 14 and is cut-out to form hole 20. Portion 22 is then attached tothe outside of the box at a proper location. Also such a graphic couldbe printed on the inside of flap 23. The flap would be cut away, andthen the flap (or a portion thereof) would be attached to the outside ofthe box at a proper location. Moreover, these supplemental graphics maybe a combination of the above (e.g., graphic portion 22 could bepre-printed and graphic portion 21 could be a sticker). Furthermore, theexterior portion of the box may originally include graphics (not shown)associated with the predetermined configuration. The stickers can beincorporated into the padding or coverings used to hold the contents ofthe box, or included in the box. Note that the puppet theater is shownby way of example only, as other configurations could be used by cuttingdifferent portions away. For example, a lemonade stand could be made bycutting the same portion away. A store (e.g. bank, grocery store, cargarage, doctor's office, etc.) could be made by forming a door insteadof hole 20. The interior graphical portions 10, 11, etc. could becoordinated with the exterior arrangement.

[0020]FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a second embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the original logos (13 and 15 of FIG. 1B) have beensubstantially (preferably completely) replaced with graphics (such asgraphical portions 30-38 and 55) designed to enhance a predeterminedconfiguration for the box. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B, thegraphical portions may incorporate new logos, e.g., the logos ofgraphics 35, 36, 37, and 38, that are associated with a play activity.

[0021] The graphical portions could comprise stickers placed on theproper locations. The stickers can be incorporated into the padding orcoverings used to hold the contents of the box, or included in the box.The graphical portions could also comprise pre-printed graphics that areprinted onto the proper locations, or the portions can be preprinted ana portion of the box that is to be cut-away for the activity, and thenrelocated and attached to the proper location. The graphical portionsmay also comprise inked colors that are embedded into the cardboard,such that when wiped with, e.g., water or some solution, the color(s)and thus the graphic(s) appears. Moreover, the replacement graphicscould comprise any combination of the above. In addition, the exteriorportion of the box of FIGS. 3A and 3B may originally include graphics(not shown) that enhance the predetermined configuration.

[0022] The graphical portions, and preferably the new logos, areselected to be associated with a play activity. For example, FIGS. 3Aand 3B depict a race car configuration 39. Thus the logos and thegraphical portions are selected to be associated with a race car, e.g.tires, license plates, instrument gauges, doors, lights, car bodypanels, etc. Note that the style of the logos and graphical portionscould be associated with existing marketing efforts. For example, if thecorporation sponsors a professional race car, then the appearance thelogos and graphical portions could be similar to that of theprofessional race car. Note that interior graphical portions, e.g. 33,could also be associated with the play activity. In addition, playelements could be attached to the box to enhance the play activity. Forexample, rather than being depicted in a graphic, the steering wheel,the brake lights, and/or the headlights of graphical portions 30, 34,and 55 respectively, could instead comprise play replicas of suchobjects. For example, brake lights 55 could comprise reflectors orbattery-operable lights that may be adhered to the box. Such elementscould be made from padding or other packaging, or could be providedalong with the product. Note that the race car arrangement is by way ofexample only as other arrangements could be used, for example, a spaceship, a military fort, a boat or ship, or train car.

[0023]FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an alternative arrangement for theembodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B. This arrangement uses additional boxesor packaging, which fits onto predetermined locations of the box 14 toenhance the appearance of the box. For example, the base 41 of the housecould be formed from a computer monitor box, while the roof 42 could beformed from a computer keyboard box. The parts of the arrangement couldbe attached to each other via tape, glue, or other adhesive material, orby a tab and slot arrangement (e.g. insert tab A into slot 1), or somecombination thereof. As in other embodiments, graphical portions 43, 44,and 45 are designed to enhance a predetermined configuration for thebox. Interior graphical portions 46 and 47 could also be associated withthe play activity. The graphical portions may also incorporate new logos48 and 49. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a house arrangement. Thus the logosand the graphical portions are selected to be associated with a house,e.g. windows, doors, roof, bushes, trees, porch(es), walls, ceiling,furniture, etc. Additional play elements, such as a second interiorfloor could be attached to the inside of the box to enhance the playactivity. Such elements could be made from padding or other packaging,or could be provided along with the product. Note that additional boxescan be used to add additional features, for example chimney 50 or agarage. One portion of wall 51 could be cut on four sides to be removed,or on three sides to swing open, and thereby allow access to the insideof the box. Note that door portions and window portions could also besimilarly cut to allow access to the inside of the box. The housearrangement is by way of example only as other arrangements could beused, for example, a barn, an auto repair shop, a car parking garage, anapartment building, and a store.

[0024] The sides (inside and/or outside) of the boxes of FIGS. 1-4 couldbe coated with a plastic material. This would allow the box to lastlonger, particularly the portions that are going to be used by children.Moreover, the coating may allow the children to make marks (e.g.,writing and/or pictures) on the box which can then be erased.

[0025] Note that the portion(s) of the box(es) that are to be cut,removed or cut-away can included pre-perforated outlines or pre-markedboarders.

[0026] Further note that some boxes contain additional packingmaterials, e.g. foam peanuts, plastic wraps, foam wraps, cardboardpieces, smaller boxes, etc. These materials could be pre-perforatedand/or pre-marked to serve as accessories for the box. For example,dolls, people, cars, animals, furniture, etc.

[0027] Further note that the numbers, types, and stylings of the logosdepicted and described herein are by way of example only, as differentnumbers, types, and stylings of logos could be used.

[0028] The box described herein may be formed from any material suitablefor use in a play activity of a child (e.g., cardboard). Moreover, thesquare shape of the box depicted in FIGS. 1-4 is by way of example onlyas other shapes may be used (e.g., triangular, trapezoidal, etc.).Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to boxes but may beused with any delivery container suitable for use in a play activity ofa child.

[0029] Although the present invention and its advantages have beendescribed in detail, it should be understood that various changes,substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to belimited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine,manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps describedin the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantiallythe same function or achieve substantially the same result as thecorresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according tothe present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended toinclude within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A box for holding contents during delivery to auser comprising: an exterior portion that includes content graphicsassociated with the contents of the box during delivery; and an interiorportion that includes at least one play graphic associated with a playactivity of a child; wherein the box has dimensions of sufficient sizesso as to allow a significant portion of the child to enter the box whilethe child performs the play activity, and the at least one play graphicis entirely useable by the child while the box is substantiallyassembled.
 2. The box of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at leastone play graphic comprises ink embedded into a section of the interiorportion of the box, said embedded ink graphic being invisible duringdelivery of the box, the embedded ink graphic being capable of beingmade visible after delivery of the box by wiping said section with aliquid.
 3. The box of claim 1, wherein the contents of said box duringdelivery include: play utensils that are associated with the playactivity.
 4. The box of claim 3, wherein the play utensils are selectedfrom the group consisting of: crayons, stickers, re-useable stickers,paint, paint brushes, markers, pencils, and game pieces.
 5. The box ofclaim 1, wherein: the at least one play graphic comprises a plurality ofboard games, with at least one board game on one side of the box andanother board game on a another side of the box; wherein the child playsthe one board game by rotating the box until the one board game is in adown position.
 6. The box of claim 1, wherein said at least one playgraphic comprises a scene comprising at least a first graphic located ona first panel of the interior portion of the box and a second playgraphic located on a second panel of the interior portion of the box,whereby said first and second play graphics are coordinated to form saidscene.
 7. The box of claim 1, wherein at least a section of one surfaceof the interior portion of the box is coated with a material that allowsfor ink markings to be made on the interior portion which can then beerased.
 8. A box assembly for delivery to a user comprising: a box forholding contents during delivery to the user, said box comprising: anexterior portion that includes at least one logo identifying a source ofthe contents of said box during delivery; and an interior portion; andcontents for delivery to a user disposed within said box; wherein atleast one play graphic associated with a play activity of a child isincluded in a portion of the box assembly selected from the groupconsisting of the interior portion, the contents, the exterior portion,and combinations thereof, at least one of said at least one play graphicbeing capable of being attached to the exterior portion of the box afterdelivery of said box assembly to said user so as to alter the boxaccording to a predetermined configuration associated with the playactivity.
 9. The box assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one ofsaid at least one play graphic to be attached to the exterior portion isto be attached in a manner that supplements said at least one logo. 10.The box assembly of claim 8, wherein said at least one of said at leastone play graphic to be attached to the exterior portion is to beattached in a manner that replaces at least one of said at least onelogo.
 11. The box assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said atleast one play graphic to be attached to the exterior portion comprisesa graphic pre-printed on the interior portion of the box prior todelivery of the box, whereby the pre-printed graphic is to be attachedto the exterior portion of the box after delivery of the box by asection of the box containing the pre-printed graphic being removed fromthe box and reattached to the exterior portion of the box in a mannerthat enhances the predetermined configuration of the box.
 12. The boxassembly of claim 11, wherein said pre-printed graphic comprises inkembedded into a section of the interior portion of the box, saidembedded ink graphic being invisible during delivery of the box, theembedded ink graphic being capable of being made visible after deliveryof the box by wiping said section with a liquid.
 13. The box assembly ofclaim 8, wherein at least one of said at least one play graphic to beattached to the exterior portion includes a new logo associated with theplay activity.
 14. The box assembly of claim 8, wherein the contents ofthe box assembly include: play pieces that are associated with the playactivity.
 15. The box assembly of claim 8, wherein the box, afterdelivery of the box to the user, may be coordinated with at least oneadditional box for holding contents during delivery to the useraccording to the predetermined configuration.
 16. The box assembly ofclaim 15, wherein said at least one additional box includes at least oneplay graphic associated with the predetermined configuration that wasattached to the exterior portion of the additional box after delivery ofthe additional box to the user to alter the additional box according tothe predetermined configuration.
 17. A method for providing a deliverycontainer for holding contents during delivery to a user that may, afterdelivery of the delivery container and removal of the contents therein,be altered according to a predetermined configuration associated with aplay activity of a child, the method comprising: assembling the deliverycontainer, the delivery container having an exterior portion thatincludes at least one logo identifying a source of the contents of thedelivery container and an interior portion; and placing the contents fordelivery to the user within the delivery container; whereby at least oneplay graphic associated with a play activity of a child is included in aportion of the combined delivery container and contents, said portionselected from the group consisting of the interior portion of thedelivery container, the contents, the exterior portion of the deliverycontainer, and combinations thereof, at least one of said at least oneplay graphic being capable of being attached to the exterior portion ofthe delivery container after delivery of the delivery container to theuser so as to alter the delivery container according to a predeterminedconfiguration associated with the play activity.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein at least one of said at least one play graphic to beattached to the exterior portion comprises a graphic pre-printed on theinterior portion of the container prior to delivery of the container,whereby the pre-printed graphic is to be attached to the exteriorportion of the container after delivery of the container by a section ofthe container including the pre-printed graphic being removed from thecontainer and reattached to the exterior portion of the container in amanner that enhances the predetermined configuration of the container.19. The method of claim 18, wherein said pre-printed graphic comprisesink embedded into a section of the interior portion of the container,said embedded ink graphic being invisible during delivery of thecontainer, the embedded ink graphic being capable of being made visibleafter delivery of the box by wiping said section with a liquid.
 20. Themethod of claim 16, wherein at least one of said at least one playgraphic to be attached to the exterior portion includes a new logoassociated with the play activity.